Dunlop returns as title sponsor

DUNLOP RETURNS AS TITLE SPONSOR FOR FOUR YEARS STARTING IN 2010
Tyre manufacturer Dunlop will return as title sponsor of the MSA British
Touring Car Championship from 2010, in a new four-year agreement with the
UK's premier motor racing series.

DUNLOP RETURNS AS TITLE SPONSOR FOR FOUR YEARS STARTING IN 2010

Tyre manufacturer Dunlop will return as title sponsor of the MSA British
Touring Car Championship from 2010, in a new four-year agreement with the
UK's premier motor racing series. Its sister company, HiQ - title
sponsor for the past two seasons - will put its name to the BTCC's
coveted Teams' Championship also through to the end of 2013 at
least.

This latest arrangement will extend the BTCC's relationship with
the Goodyear-Dunlop group to 11 successive years. Dunlop has been the
BTCC's exclusive tyre supplier since 2003 and became title sponsor
in 2005, with the nationwide chain of HiQ fast-fit centres taking over
for 2008 and 2009.

Dunlop's return as the BTCC's title sponsor is actually a
year ahead of schedule after HiQ's association with the
championship proved even more effective than anticipated in helping it
re-profile its network across the UK. Its four-year commitment to
sponsoring the Teams' Championship will now enable it to continue
to build on those results.

Group Managing Director Mark Brickhill commented: "We re-launched
the HiQ network in 2008 with the signing of new franchise stores, a new
impactful visual identity and a plan to set new standards of service in
the fast-fit market. Our BTCC sponsorship has helped achieve these goals
and the extension of our investment to include the HiQ Teams'
Championship for four years will help drive our ambitions for the network
in the tyre fitting and servicing market."

BTCC Series Director Alan Gow said he was delighted that HiQ's use
of the championship had reaped such tremendous rewards and also welcomed
back on board Dunlop's famous black and yellow colours - for more
than a hundred years associated with automotive and motor sporting
success all over the world.

Gow said: "I'm absolutely delighted that we are able to
continue our extremely close relationship with both Dunlop and HiQ for
another four years - making it one of the most successful and enduring
major sponsorships in the BTCC and, indeed, British motor sport.

"But it is more than just sponsorship; it's a close
partnership between two very committed and enthusiastic organisations and
one that I'm incredibly proud of. With its huge public following,
both trackside and on ITV, the BTCC is the ‘jewel in the
crown' of British motor sport and Dunlop is a very important part
of our success."

As part of this long-term partnership, Dunlop will continue to provide
the BTCC's teams with tyres manufactured at Fort Dunlop in
Birmingham, UK - home to the company's European Motorsport
Operations. This plant produces over 200,000 high technology racing tyres
each year for the World Moto2 Motorcycle Championships, International GT
and Endurance racing in addition to the BTCC.

The first round of the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
will take place at the Thruxton circuit in Hampshire on Sunday 4 April.
All rounds will be televised live on ITV4 with highlights on ITV1, ITV4
and Men & Motors.